Fire-extinguishing apparatus.



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, C. ADAMS.

FIRE EXTiNGUISHING APPARATUS.

, APPLICATION FILED OCT. 18| ISIS.

Patented Mar. 19, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l Charles fidalns C. ADAMS,

1 FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS APPLICATION FILED OCT. 18, 1916.; 3 1,259,468. Patented Mar. 19, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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. E I i' flharlesflm UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

CHARLES ADAMS, 0]? UNION HILL, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF bNE-HALF 'I'O SYDNEY F.

WESTON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FIRE-EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 18, 1916. Serial No.'126 ,259.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES ADAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing in Union Hill, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire- Extinguishing Apparatus, of Which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a fire extinguishing system in which a tank of non-combos tion supporting substance is provided and in which the formation of a gas by the combination of an acid with a salt or the like is utilized to exercise a pressure on the fire extinguishing substance and itself to be thereby extruded for extinguishing a fire.

One of the main objects of the present invention is to provide a system in which the generation of a gas Wlll be initiated by the rise of temperature .ILClJlICQHl'. to an ele-- ment of the system.

To this end the invention contemplates the provision of a tank provided with a substance that is in itself a fire extinguishing element and in addition contains substance that hasa great affinity for acid to form a gas whereby. the fire extinguishing substance may be extruded from the aforesaid tank, the acid being contained in a receptacle separate from the tank and the flow of the acid to said tank being caused by the well-known siphon action which is initiated by a decrease of pressure brought. about by a discharge from certain outlets that are held under control until the temperature adjacent thereto is raised to the melting point of the substance'forming the closures of such outlets.

One of the main features of the present invention is the provision of means where by the various parts of the apparatus will be maintained under an cqual pressure and in which the initiation of the action is ,brought about by disturbing this equaliz 'tion of pressure.

Another particular feature of the present invention is the provision of means whereby the acid is siphoned into the tank containing the fire'extinguishing element.

Another feature of the present invention is an arrangement which readily adapts its-oil to be used either as a dry systen or a.

wet systen'i, the dry system contemplating the use of gas pressure for mainta nnip; the required pressure, and the wet system conpartly in Section, of amembodinient espe cially adapted for use as a e system.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, there is provided an enlarged elongated tank 1, an acid receptacle 2 disposed above the same, and a suitable supply source of water or the like, such as the tank 3, which is. preferablydisposed at substantially the same level as the tank 1. The tank 1 in operation is preferably filled with a fire extinguishing solution containing a substance that will combine with acid to form extruding gas. In the present instance the tank 1 is filled with a solution of sodium bicarbonate, and water to a level spaced a short distance from the top thereof. The receptacle 2 in operation in the present sys tem filled with sulfuric acid to a level spaced a short distance from the top i thereof, and in which top an opening is provided equipped with the closure 5, by means of which access to the receptacle 2 can be had for the purpose of refilling the same. The receptacle 2 is connected to the tank 1. by

Patented Mar. 19, 1918.

the siphon tube 8 having the short portion (i disposed in the receptacle 2 which is connected to the long portion 7 by the elbow 8. The elbow 8 disposed to extend a short distance above the level of the sulfuric acid contained in the receptacle 2 while the lower end of the portion (3 extends almost to the bottom of the receptacle 2, and the lower portion of the portion 7 extends ahnost to the bottom of the tank 1,it being thus shown that the. lower end of the portion (Sis disposed in the sulfuric acid and forms a C0111- niunication whereby the sulfuric acid may he passed up through he tube S to the tank 1 and into the solution of bicarbonate of soda contained therein, the lower end of the portion 7 being disposed in th bicarbonate solution and forn'iing 1t \ommunicatiou therewith through which the acid may readily pass to such solution. To maintain the pressure on the acid contained in the receptacle 2 substantially equal to the pressure on the bicarbonate of soda solution contained in the tank 1, the pipe connection P is provided which afi'ords communication between the upper end of the receptacle 2 above the sulfuric acid and the upper end of the tank 1 above the bicarbonate of soda solution and extends from the upper end of the receptacle 2 substantially abo e the level of the sulfuric acid, down to the upper end of the tank 1 at a line substantially'above the level of the bicarbonate of soda solution. The lower end of the pipe connection P is provided with a hand controlled valve 9 whereby the pipe connection may be opened for the purpose of reducing the pressure. Above the valve 9 there is provided a safety connection 10 having a safety valve 11 con nected thereto and a pressure gage 12 connected thereto, the pressure gage 12 being prbvided with a plurality of wire connections 13 which may be connected to any suit able signal whereby the several dangerous degrees of pressure may be readily signaled to the operator. v

The tank 1 is also provided with a pipe connection 14 extending practically from' a short distance above the bottom of the tank 1 upward to the horizontal pipe connection 15, one end of which is connected to the vertical pipe connection 16 which extends down to and continues in the sprinkler arm 17 which is provided with two heads 18. The heads 18 are equipped in the usual manner with closures composed of metal readily fusible at a slight increase in temperature to open the heads. The pipe connection 16 is connected with the main 19 at. a point a short distance above the'arm 17, such main 19 being connected to any suitable source of water supply, in the present instance being connected to the tank 3.

The pipe connection 15 is connected with the intermediate pipe connection 20 at its union with the pipe connection 14. This pipe connection 20 has a bore diameter substantially, equal to the bore diameter of the siphon tube S and is connected to such siphon tube S at a point a short distance below the lower end of the acid receptacle 2. The connection of the pipe 20 with the ipe connection 15 is disposed. at a level a s1ort distance above the level of the connection between the pipe 20 and the siphon tube S, and pipe 201s provided with an inclination 21. which is equipped with the valve cham-- ber 22 containing the ball float valve 23.

The pipe connection 14 is provided with the pipe connection 21- cxtcnding from the pipe connection 14 at a point a short distance above the tank 1 down to and into the tank 1 to afford a ron'imunication between the pipe 14 and the inside of the tank 1 above the level of liquid contained therein. The pipe connection 24 is rovided with the valve 2 L for controlling tiie same.

The tank 1 is provided with the hand controlled drain cock 25 disposed at its bottom.

At the upper end of the vertical pipe P is a horizontal pipe P communicating with the acid container and siphon receptacle 2 just above the level at which the body of acid will be normally maintained therein, in which pipe is located a check valve of any suitable form 26 which opens toward the pipe P and closes reversely toward the receptacle when the pressure in such receptacle 2 falls below the pressure in the bicarbonate of soda solution tank 1, and also in communication on the same level as P,

above the body of acid contained in such tank 2, is a pipe 27 having a cut-01f valve 28, and provided between the receptacle and such valve 28 with a check valve 29 opening inward toward the receptacle and preventing escape of the pressure by such valve, even when the valve 28 is open.

In filling the receptacle with acid, the hand-hole cover 5 of the usual form well known in the art, is removed and acid poured in until the level is that shown in Fig. 1, just below the pipes P and 27, when the apparatus is ready for use.

The hand controlled valve 28 is opened when the apparatus is to be used as a wet system, in which case if the apparatus should be set in operation any siphonic action in the siphon tube S will cause a vacuum in the air space of the receptacle 2 and thereupon air is admitted through the check valve 29 and into said chamber and at the same time any pressure thereafter generated in the receptacle 2 will be pre vented from escaping except downwardly through the supply pipes 15, 16 and 17 and thence to the sprinkler heads 18 or the hose 33.

When the apparatus is to be used as a dry system, a pressure may be supplied to the same from any suitable source, in the present instance a pipe connection 30 provided with the hand controlled valve 31 is connected to the pipe connection 15. Such pipe connection 30 may be connected to any suitable source of pressuresupply, by means of which when the valve 31 is opened and the apparatus is to be used as a dry system, pressure may be fed through said pipe connection 30 to the pipe connection 15 and then throughout the system.

The sprinkler arm 17 is provided with a hand controlled valve 32 near its extreme end, which end is connected to a hose 33. By means of this hose 33 when the valve 32 is opened, the system may be operated even when the sprinkler heads 18 are not opened.

When the apparatus is to be used as a wet system, the same is connected to a suitable source of water supply by means of which water may be conveyed to the sprinkler arm 17 and vertical pipe connection 16 to cooperate with the system to maintain proper pressure therein. For this purpose the pipe connection 16 near its-union. with the pipe connection 34 is provided with a hand controlled valve 35. The pipe connection 19 connecting the pipe connection 16 with the bottom of the reservoir 3 is provided with a hand controlled valve 36.

When the apparatus disclosed in Fig. 1 is to be used as a dr system, the operation is substantially as fo lows: It will beassumed that the valve 32 is shut oil, the valve heads 18 closed, the valves 36, 35, 25, 9, and 28 closcd,and the ,valve 24 opened; water and bicarbonate of soda disposed in the tank 1 to a levelwhich is below the communication of the pipe connection P with the tank 1, sulfuric acid disposed in the receptacle 2 to a level just below the communication of the pipe connection P with the receptacle 2; and the valve 31 opened to permit pressure to be conveyed to the pipe connection 15 from any suitable source. The pressure on the liquid contained in the tank 1 and on the acid contained in the receptacle 2 will be substantially the same, since the pressure will extend from the pipe connection 15 to the pipe con nection 14 and then by the pipe connection or by-pass 24 to the tank 1 above the level of the liquid therein, and from such tank 1 through the pipe connection P and the receptacle 2 above the level of the acid. It the pressure is of sui'licient magnitude it may force the ball valve 23 into a position to prevent any of the pressure to enter and pass into the siphon tube S. The apparatus is then in condition for operation. Then upon a fire occurring, the temperature adjacent to the heads 18 rising to the required degrce,'the heads Will melt off and permit the pressure to discharge from said sprinkler arm 17 through said heads 18, or, when the said hose is to be used, the valve 32 is opened to permit the pressure to discharge from said sprinkler arm 17, it being understood that in the mean time, orprcviously at any rate, the valve 31 will preferably be shut off to prevent'the supply of any additional pressure, this decrease in pressure will suck up liquid from the tank 1 up thh pipe connection 14 a considerable distance, and in addition suck the ball'valve 22 to permit a passage through the pipe connection for an instant, during which instant the suction will, by means of the pipe connection 21 and the siphon tube S, suck up acid through the short arm 6 of the siphon tube S above the elbow -8, whereupon the liquid will continue to run down the arm 7 and the siphonic action be started.

The ball 23 composing with its casing 22 a floabball-valve is located between the pipes 15 and the pipes S and 7, as clearly indicated in Fig. 1; such float-valve being preferably made extremely light so that 'the same may be closed by air pressure. And when the siphonic action is started, such valve being very light, the passage of the bicarbonate of soda solution up through the large pipe 14 turning to the right into 15, will cause a diminution of air pressure in the smaller pipe 20 21, Wl1lCl1 for this reason is bent upward and the pipe 15, placed at a somewhat higher level than is the pipe connect the tank 1 it will react on the bicarbonate of soda contained therein to form'a gas under pressure which will act on the liquid contained in such tank 1 to extrude the same up through the pipe connection 14 to the pipe connection 15 and through the pipe connections 16 and 17 either out through the heads 18 or out through the hose 33. When the heads 18 are closed, as aforesaid, a small air space will be present in the siphon. tube S,

extending down on botlrsides of the elbow 8 to shut oilf the siphon action, and set the same ready for action when the desired decrease of.

pressure'takes place. The contact of the acid with the bicarbonate of soda will produce carbon dioXid, and the pressure gcnerated thereby will be suliicient to expel the solution from the heads 18 at a considerable force. i

From the foregoing it will further be seen that as soon as gas is generated in tank 1 by the siphonic action and the pressure raised, such pressure, through the instrumentality of the pipe connection P, will be transmitted to the receptacle 2 and thereby quicken the travel of the acid through the siphon tube S, It will further be seen that as long as the acid passes through the siphon tube S and fills the pipe connection 20 it will maintain" the valve 23 against its seat and prevent the passage into the siphon tube S of the liquid that is passing out through the pipe connections 14 and 15, and that since the fi'owage of the liquid through the pipes 14 and 15 depends on cle 2, the pressure on' the acid in the pipe connection 20 to maintain the ball in place will always be greater than the liquid flowing out of the pipe connections 14 and 15. Thus the pressure in the pipe connections 14 and 15 can never increase suiiicientlyto unseat the ball 23 and force back the acid in the pipe connection 20.

From the foregoing it Will further be seen that the siphon action will continue until all of the acid contained in the receptacle 2 Will have passed into the tank 1, and that thus the initiation of the action of the present fire extinguisher is very effective and at the same time automatic.

ipe connections 14, 15, 16 and 17 are of considerably larger bore diameter than the bore diameter of the siphon tube S and pipe connection 20, so as to form a path of lesser resistance as the liquid is being forced up through the pipe connection 1 1, and thus facilitate and assure its passage out through the pipe connections 15, 16, and 17, instead of back through the pipe connection 20 to interfere With the action of the siphon 3.

When the apparatus disclosed in Fig. 1' is to be used as a Wet system, the operation will be substantially as follows: It will be assumed that the valves 32, 25, 9, 31 and 24:

are closed, the valves 28, 35, and 36, opened, the sprinkler heads 18 closed, the Water from the reservoir 3 passed through the pipe connection 19 into the pipe connection 16 and arm 17 so that the level of Water in the arm 17 Will be the same as the level of the Water in the reservoir 3. Due to the opening of the valve 28, the pressure of the system in this condition will be substantially atmospheric. And there will be an airspace in the siphon tube S just'the same as when the apparatus is to be used as a dry system. With this condition of the apparatus, Whenever a fire occurs and the temperature ad jacent to the heads 18 rises the required amount, the heads 18 Will melt oil and permit the discharge of the Water in the arm 17 and 'pipe connection 16 through said heads 18, or, when the valve 32 is open, the hose 33 Will permit the discharge of Water therethrough from the arm 17 and pipe connection 16, and this discharge of water will so reduce the pressure in the system that it Will draw liquid in the tank 1 up through the pipe connection 14 and suck acid up the arm 6 over the elbow 8 to start the siphon action. Thereupon the discharge of the solution in the tank 1 Will begin and continue thesame as with the apparatus when used as a dry system. With thepresent Wet system, after allof the fire extinguishing elemcnt cm'itained in the tank 1 has been discharged, the heads. 18-or valve 32 still being open, the water from the reservoir 3 may still discharge from such heads 18 or hose 33.

The embodiment illustrated in F 2 is along its body,

especially adapted to be used as a Wet system and is provided with a tank 1'; receptacle 2, having the top 4. and cover 5; reservoir 3; siphon S having the short arm 6, long arm 7, and elbow 8 pipe connection 1 connecting the receptacle 2 with the tank 1 and equipped With the connection 26', union 10, safety valve 11, pressure gage 12, Wire connections'13', pet cock 9; pet cock 25 at the bottom of the tank 1; p pe connection 27' connected to the upper end of the receptacle 2 and having the check valve 29; horizontal pipe connection 15 connected to the vertical pipe. connection 16 at one end and to the vertical pipe connection 1 1 at its other end, the vertical pipe connection 14" extending into the tank 1 and adjacent to the bottom of the tank 1; pipe connection 20. between the pipe connection 15 and siphon S, such pipe connection 20 having the inclination 21 and provided with the valvechamber in which the ball float valve 23 is disposed; all substan tially identical with and corresponding in position and function to the parts correspondingly numbered but not primed, in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1. In the present embodiment it will be seen there is not provided a valve similar to the hand controlled valve 28 nor lay-pass similar to the bypass 24, nor pipe connections simi lar to the pipe connections 30 and as of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, these not being required for the present embodiment.

The connection between the pipe connection 16' and the reservoir 3 is differentthan the connection between the pipe con nection 1e and reservoir 3 of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, and comprises an auxiliary reservoir 37 having a gage-glass 38 disposed on the side of the same and on eratively connected to such auxiliary reservoir 37, and both disposed at a level substantially equal to that of the reservoir 3, I

a pipe-connection 39 connecting the lower end of the auxiliary reservoir 37 with a sprinkler arm 40, similar to the sprinkler arm 17, and having the sprinkler heads 41 and a hand controlled valve 42 at its free end to which is connected the hose 43,2! pipe connection 44 connecting the pipe connection 39 with the reservoir 3', there being a hapd controlled valve 45 con nected to such pipe connection 44: to control the same.

The operation of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2 is substantially as follows:

It will be assumed thatthe valves 9 and 25' are closed, the heads 41 scaled and the valve 42 closed. The valve 45 is at first opened and may remain open if desired, whereupon the Water from the reservoir 3' will flow into the pipe connection 39 and' arm 40 and up into the auxiliary reservoir 37 to the same level as the Water in the reseri so voir 3, which level will be indicated by the level gage glass 38. It will be assumed that the siphon tube S has an air space therein *ztending through the elbow 8' and the ball tloatvalve 23 disposed in the bottom of the valve chamber 22. The apparatus is now in condition for use. Upon a fire occurring and the temperature adjacent; to the heads 41 rising to the proper point, the scaling'l'natcrial of the heads 4-1 will melt and open such heads, whereupon the water from the arm 40 may .Ldischarge therethrough or else the valve -'t2.will,be opened so that the Water may discliarge ithrpugh the hose 43. Immediately upon such discharge of water, the level in the auxiliary reservoir 37 will drop, thereby creating a suction which will draw up liquid through the pipe connection 14 a considerable distance and at the same time through the pipe connection 20' and siphon tube S, the acid will be forced up and across the elbow 8; whereupon the siphonic action will be initiated, and immediately the acid will flow over into the pipe connection 20 and raise the ball 23 up n close the upper opening of the valve chamber and thus prevent the acid from flowing through the pipe conncction 20' over into the pipe connection 15. As soon as the acid enters the tank 1' and comes into cont-act with the bicarbonate of soda, carbon dioxid will be generated and the accompanying pressure will exercise a. force as already explained on the liquid to extrude the same up through the pipe con nection 14 and out through either the heads 41 or the hose 43. The action of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2-will thus be substantially identical'with the action illustrated in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, when it is set to be used as a wet system.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made to the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of the invention.-

1. A fire extinguishing apparatus having a solution-of bicarbonate of soda, sulfuric acid for reacting with said bicarbonate of soda'to form a gas to expel said. solution of bicarbonate of soda, said acid being maintained separate from said solution of bicarbonate of soda, a siphon tube for com veying said acid to said solution of bicarbonate of soda, a source ot water supply, a sprinkler head sensitive to heat, a pipe connection connecting said sprinkler head with said source of water supply, a second pipe connection connecting said first pipe connection with 'saidsiphon tube whereby upon the opening of said sprinkler head and the passage therethrough of water a suction will be created to initiate the siphon action through said siphon tube.

2. 'A fire extinguishing apparatus having a solution of bicarbonate of soda, sulfuric acid for reacting with said bicarbonate of soda to form a gas to expel said solution of bicarbonate of soda, said acid being maintained separate from said solution of bicarbonate of soda, a siphon tube for conveying said acid to said solution of bicarbonate of soda, a source of water supply, a sprinklerhead sensitive to heat, a pipe connection connecting said sprinkler head with said source of water supply, a second pipe connection connected to said first pipe connection and forming a passage for the bicarbonate of soda to said sprinkler head, and a third pipe connection connecting said seca source of water supply, a sprinkler head sensitive .to heat, a pipe connection connecting said sprinkler head with said source of water supply, a second pipe connection connecting said first pipe connectionwith said siphon tube whereby upon the opening of said sprinkler head and the passage there-.-

through ofwater a suction will be created to initiate the siphon action through said siphon tube.

4. A fire extinguishing apparatus having a solution of fire extinguishing element. an acid for reacting with said fire extinguishing element to form a gas to expel said fire extinguishing element, said acid being maintained separate from said fire extinguishing element, a siphon tube for conveying said acid to said 'fire extinguishing element, a source of water supply, a sprinkler head sensitive to heat, a pipe connection connecting said sprinkler head with said source of' water supply, a second pipe connection connected to said first pipe connection and forming a passage for the solution of fire extinguishing element to said sprinkler head, and a third pipe connection connecting said second pipe connection with said siphon tube, whereby upon the opening of said sprinkler head and the passage therethrough of water-a suction will be created to initiate the siphon action through said siphon tube.

5. A fire extinguishing apparatus having.,-

a solution of fire extinguishing element, an acid for reacting with' said fire extinguishingelementto form a. gas to expel said fire extinguishing element, said acid being maintained separate from. 'said fire extinguishing element, a siphon tube for conveying said acid to said fire extinguishing element, a source of Water supply, a sprinkler head sensitive to heat, a pipe connection connecting said sprinkler head with said source of Water supply, a second pipe connection connected to said first pipe connection and forming a passage for the solution of fire extinguishing element to said sprinkler head, a third pipe connection connecting said second pipe connection with said siphon tube whereby upon the opening of said sprinkler head and the passage therethrough of water a suction will be created to initiate the siphon action through said siphon tube, there being a valve chamber in said third pipe connection, an inclination. in said pipe connection, the connection of said third pipe connection with said second pipe connection being at a higher level than the level of the connection of said third pipe connection with the siphon tube, and a float valve in said valve chan'ibcr adapted to rise and shut off communication through said third pipe connection as soon as the same is filled with acid carried thereto by'the siphon action. V

6. A fire extinguishing apparatus having a tank for containing a solution of fire extinguishing element, an acid for reacting with said fireextinguishing element to form a gas to expel said fire extinguishing element,,a receptacle for containing said acid, a siphon tube for conveying said acid to said fire extinguishing element, a source of water supply, a sprinkler head sensitive to'heat, a pipe connection connecting said sprinkler head with said source of water supply, a second pipe connection connecting said first pipe connection with said siphon tube Whereby upon the opening of said sprinkler head and the passage of Water therethrough a suction-will be created to initiate the siphon action through said siphon tube.

7. A fire extinguishing apparatus having a tank for containing a solution of fire extingulshlng element, an acld tor reacting with said fire extinguishing element to form a gas to expel said fire extinguishing element, a receptacle for containing said acid, a siphon tube for conveying said acid to said fire extinguishing element, a source of Water supply, a sprinkler head sensitive to beat, a pipe connection connecting said sprinkler head with said source of Water supply, a second pipe connection connected to said first pipe connection and forming a assa e for the solution of fire extin uishin b h :1

element to said sprinkler head, and a third pipe connection connecting said second pipe connection with said siphon tube whereby upon the opening of said sprinkler head and the passage therethrough of Water suction will be created to initiate the siphon action through said siphon tube.

manages A fire extinguishing apparatus having a tank for containinga solution of fire ex tinguishing element, an acid for ,reacting with said fire extinguishing element to forin a gas to expel said fire extinguishing ele-- inent, a receptacle for containing said acid, a siphon tube for conveying said acid to said fire extinguishing element, a source of Water supply, a sprinkler head sensitive to heat, a pipe connection connecting said sprinkler head with said source of water supply, a second pipe connection connected to said first pipe connection and forming a passage for the solution of fire extinguishing element to said sprinkler head, a third pipe connection connecting said second pipe connection with said siphon tube whereby upon the opening of said sprinkler head and the passage thercthrough of Water a suction will be created to initiate the siphon action through said siphon tube, there being a valve chamher in said third pipe connection, an inclination in said third pipe connection, the connection of said thirdpipe connection with said second pipe connection being at a higher level than the level of the connection of said third pipe connection with the siphon tube,

-and a float valve in said valve chamber adapted to rise and shut off connmmication through said third pipe connection as soon as the same is filled with the acid carried thereto by the siphon actipn.

9. A fire extinguishing apparatus having a tank for containing a solution of fire extinguishing element, an acid for reacting with said fire extinguishing element to form a gas to expel said fire extinguishing ele ment, a receptacle for containing said acid, a siphon tube for conveying said acid to said fire extinguishing clement, a source of water supply, a sprinkler head sensitive to heat, a pipe connection connecting said sprinkler head with said source of Water supply, a second pipe connection connected to said first pipe connection and forming a passage for the solution of fire extinguislr ing element to said sprinkler head, a third pipe connection connecting said second pipe connection with said siphon tube whereby upon the opening of said sprinkler head and the passage therethrough of water a suction will be created to initiate the siphon action through said siphon tube, there being a valve chamber in said third pipe connection, an inclination in said pipe connection,

' level of the fire extinguishing element being spaced a short distance from the top of said tank, the level of the acid being spaced :1 short distance from the top of said receptacle, a fourth pipe connection connecting the space of said tank above said-fire extinguishing element with the space of said receptacle above said acid whereby the pressure in the receptacle and tank may be maintained equal.

10. A fire extinguishing apparatus having a tank for containing a solution of fire extinguishing element, an acid for reacting with said fire extinguishing element to form a gas to expel said fire extinguishing element, a receptacle for containing. said acid, a siphon tube for conveying saichagid to said tire extinguishing element, a source-of water supply, a sprinkler head sensitive to heat, a pipe connection connecting said sprinkler head with said source of Water supply, a second pipe connection connected to said first pipe connection and forming a passage for the solution of fire extinguishing element to said sprinkler head, a third pipe connection connecting said second pipe connection with said siphon tube whereby upon the opening of said sprinkler head and the passage therethrough of water a suction will be created to initiate the siphon action through said siphon tube, there being a valve chamber in said third pipe connection, an inclination in said pipe connection, the connection of said third pipe connection with said second pipe connection being at a higher level, than the level of the connection of said third pipe connection with the siphon tube, a float valve in said valve chamber adapted to rise and shut off communication through said third pipe connection as soon as thesame is filled with the acid carried thereto by the siphon action, the level of the fire extinguishing element being spaced a short distance from the top of said tank, the

level of the acid being spaced a short distance from the top of said receptacle, a fourth pipe connection connecting the space of said tank above said fire extinguishing element with the space of said receptacle above said acid whereby'the pressure in the receptacle and tank may be maintained equal, a safety connection in said fourth pipe connection, a safety valve connected to said safety connection, and a pressure gage connected to said safetyconnection.

11. A fire extinguishing apparatus having a tank for containing a solution of fire extinguishing element, an acid for reacting with said fire extinguishing element to form a gas to expel said fire extinguishing element, a receptacle for containing said acid, a siphon tube for conveying said acid to said fire extinguishing element, a source of water supply, a sprinkler head sensitive to heat, a pipe connection connecting said sprinkler head with said source of water supply, and a second: pipe connection connecting saidfirst pipe connection with said siphon tube w ereby upon the opening of said sprinklenhe'ad and the passage of water therethrough a suctionwill be created to initiate the siphonaction through said siphon tube, the level-of the water in said second pipe connection being maintained at a lower level than the level of fire extinguishing element in said tank to preserve the scnsitiveness of the system.

12. A fire extinguishing apparatus having a tank for containing a solution of fire extinguishin element, an acid for reacting with said re extinguishing element to form a gas to expel said fire extinguishing element, a receptacle for containing said acid, a siphon tube for conveying said acid to said fire extinguishing element when a fire occurs, and means for initiating siphon action by said siphon tube for conveying acid to said fire extinguishing element, said initiating means comprising a discharge portion, a pipe connection connecting said discharge portion with. said siphon tube, there normally being an air space in said siphon tube to normally maintain the same inoperative, the discharge portion bein normally closed, and means for maintaining the pressure insaid pipe connection when said disch'ar e portion is closed, the opening of thesard discharge portion operatingto drop the pressure in said pipe connection thereby to draw up acid a distance through said siphon tube to initiate the siphon action.-

13. A fire extinguishing apparatus having a tank for containing a solutionpf fire tax-- tinguishing element, an acid for reacting with said fire extinguishing element to form a gas to expel said fire extinguishing ele ment, a receptacle for'containing said acid, a siphon tube for conveying said acid to said fire extinguishing element when a' fire occurs, and means for initiating siphon action by said siphon tube for conveyingacid to said fire extinguishing element, said initiating means comprising a discharge portion, a pipe connection connecting said discharge portion with said siphon tube, there normally being an air space in saidsiphon tube to normally maintain the same inoperative, the discharge portionbeing normally closed, an air pressure means for maintaining the pressure in said pipe connection.

when said discharge portion is closed, a second pipe connection for connecting said first pipe connection with a source of gas ressure or the like, means for controlling sai second pipe connection, a source of water supply, a. third pipe connection for connecting said first pipe connection with a source of water supply, a second controlling means for said third pipe connection, the water supply, when said second pipe connection is shut off from said first pipe connection and said third pipe connection is in coi'nlnunication with said first connection, flowing into said first pi e connection to form pressure therein; am in turn the second pipe connection, when the third pipe connection is shut oil? from said first pipe connection and said sec ond pipe connection is in con'n'nlmication with said first pipe connection, permitting gas pressure or the like to be supplied to said first pipe connection; the opening of the said discharge portion f perating to drop the pressure in said pipe connection thereby to force the acid through said siphon tube to initiate the siphon action.

1 1-. A fire extinguishing apparatus having a tank for containing a solution of tire ex tinguishing element, an acid for reacting with said fire extinguishing element to form. a gas to expel said tire extinguishing element, a receptacle for containing said acid, a siphon tube for conveying said acid to said the extinguishing element, a normally closed discharge portion, a pipe connection con necting said discharge portion with said tank, means for supplying pressure to said pipe connection, a second pipe connection connecting said first pipe connection with said siphon tube, there being a valve chamber in said-second'pipe connection, an in clin'ation in said second pipe connection, the connection o'l said second pipe connection with said first pipe connection being at a higher level than the level of the connection of said second pipe connection -with the siphon tube, and a float valve in said valve chamberadapted to rise and shut ofi cominunication. through said second pipe con nection as soon as the same is filled with the acid carried thereto by the siphon action, there normally being an air space in said siphon tube to normallymaintain the same inoperative, the opening ofsaid discharge portion operating to drop the pressure in,

said

said sprinkler arin through said hose, a pipe connection connecting said sprinkler arm with said tank, means for-supplying pressure to said pipe connection, a second pipe [:01] ueciion connecting the first pipe connection with said siphon tube, there normally being-.2111 air space in said siphon tube to normally maintain the same inoperative, the fusible heads and controlling means being normally closed, the opening either of said fusible heads or of said controlling means operating to relieve the pressure in said first pipe connection and tl'iereby to force the acid through said siphon tube to initiate the siphon action.

- CHARLES ADAMS. Witnesses:

GUSTAV Dnsws, H. D. PENNEY. 

